Off-peak charging across fast, rapid and ultra-rapid public charging fell by up to 28% in December, according to the latest AA EV Recharge Report.

Fast off-peak charging prices fell 28% after one charge point provider moved to a flat-rate tariff

The big drop in charging costs came after one charge point provider reverted to offering a flat-rate tariff across the day, rather than variable prices.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “December saw a huge reduction in public charging prices, particularly at the quickest speeds.

“As drivers reveal that they monitor the cost to ‘fill the tank’ to gauge fuel spend, drivers could save more than 50% with an EV compared to petrol.”

Meanwhile, research from the AA shows that no matter how a car is powered, drivers measure their fuel spend on the total cost to ‘fill the tank’. The survey of more than 14,600 drivers found that 60% of EV drivers use the total cost to recharge their car as their main metric, followed by 30% who use pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh).

For petrol and diesel drivers, two-thirds (66%) use the cost to fill the tank as their main method of tracking fuel spend, with 30% using miles per gallon (MPG). Only one in 25 (4%) use pence per mile (p/mi) to monitor their fuel spend.

Interestingly, 16% of drivers said they don’t monitor how much they spend on recharging or refuelling their car.

AA EV Recharge Report December 2024 – Flat rates:

AA EV Recharge Report December 2024 – Peak and off-peak rates:

Eight out of 10 drivers believe forecourts outstrip EV devices

In the same poll, the AA tested public opinion on the number of EV devices (the number of units; these may have multiple connectors), compared to the number of fuel stations across the UK. Eight in 10 (80%) of drivers believe there are more fuel stations, whereas just 6% felt there are more EV devices than forecourts.

While there are 8,329 forecourts across the UK, there are more than 37,000 public charging locations where drivers can plug in. There are 108,410 publicly available EV connectors, with more installations going live each month.

However, the total number of publicly available chargers is only one aspect that combustion drivers are concerned about. Many cite the difference in time taken to refuel compared to recharging as a reason for deferring their transition to electric, as well as the inability to charge at home as they don’t have dedicated off-street parking.

The AA’s Jack Cousens said: “However, the public are still unclear as to how well the charging network is growing across the UK. While there are certainly more charging sites than fuel forecourts, more are needed, and the positive message of the expanding the charging network needs to be understood in the public mindset.

“There is still work to do to help convince drivers to make the switch to EVs. While the number of publicly available chargers is only one factor, petrol and diesel drivers have other concerns that need alleviating first before swapping the pump for a plug.

“The time taken to charge versus putting fuel into a car still remains an important consideration for those unsure about making the switch; however, the reality is that any driver should take a break after two hours’ driving, which would give adequate time to charge up.”

* Average prices are the PAYG options without connection fee as of 30 December 2024. Subscriptions are available for all charge point speeds which can unlock a cheaper p/kWh, however rates vary across provider.

EV calculations are based on adding 80% to a Vauxhall Corsa Electric, 50kWh, with a WLTP range of 221 miles. Adding 80% range equates to 178 miles of range.  

Petrol calculations based on Vauxhall Corsa 100hp 1.2-litre Petrol with a 40 litre tank. 80% refuel = 32 litres. Petrol: 32 litres @ 136.60 ppl = £43.71. Combined Low MPG of 52.3 = 366 miles at 11.94 p/mile.